Climb Chimborazo and Illiniza Sur

Chimborazo and Illiniza Sur - 5 Days

Chimborazo (20,702ft/6268m) is Ecuador’s highest peak. For many years European climbers thought it was the highest mountain in the world. In fact, it is the highest mountain if measured from the centre of the Earth, and it’s the mountain closest to the sun due to the Earth’s equatorial bulge. The first ascent was made by the famous expeditionary Edward Whymper back in 1892. The mountain has four main summits.

Travel program

Itinerary:

Day 1: Quito (2800 m) – Illiniza Norte (5126 m)

Day 2: Illiniza Sur (5246 m) – (El Chaupi 3300 m)

Day 3: El Chaupi – Baños (1800 m)

Day 4: Baños – Hermanos Carrel Refuge Chimborazo (16,400 ft/5000 m)

Day 5: Chimborazo Summit (20,702 ft/6268 m) – Quito

Detailed Program

Day 1:Quito (2800 m) – Iliniza Norte (5126 m)
We will leave from Quito in the morning 7:00 am and drive through the Avenue of the Volcanoes until we get to the village of “El Chaupi”. We will continue driving up until we get to “La Virgen parking lot” (12,795ft/3900m). Once there, we will start a 3-hour hike up to the “Nuevos Horizontes Refuge” (15,580ft/4750 m). After relaxing for 15 minutes we will continue hiking up towards the saddle formed between both peaks and then to Illiniza Norte summit (16,818ft/ 5126 m). The approach to the top involves an easy 3-hour scrambling. Once at the summit, we will enjoy and admire the beautiful surroundings. It will take us around 6 hours round trip. Overnight in Nuevos Horizontes Refuge. (BL/D)

Day 2:Illiniza Sur (5246 m) – El Chaupi (3330 m)
Our climbing day starts at 2 am. We will have a light breakfast, pack our climbing equipment and leave the refuge an hour later. We will continue hiking up towards the saddle formed between both peaks and then to Illiniza Sur summit (17,267ft/5.246m). It will take us between 4 to 5 hours to get to the top. The way back to the refuge will be done in about 2 hours. Once here, we will have something to eat and drink. We will pack our stuff and go down to the La Virgen parking lot and drive further for about 25 minutes to our hostel in the village of the El Chaupi (B/BL/D)

Day 3:El Chaupi – Baños (1800 m) FREE DAY
From El Chaupi, we will drive south to the town of Baños de Agua Santa. The town and its surroundings offer many possibilities like: the route of waterfalls, hikes inside the “cloud forest”, or, depending on your interest and budget, rafting, rock climbing, bungee jumping, mountain biking, horseback riding, etc. Night in hotel (B)

Day 4:Baños – Hermanos Carrel Refuge Chimborazo (16,400 ft/5000 m)
This picturesque town offers you the opportunity to spend an unforgettable day, for example, you could relax in the famous hot springs. Afterwards we will drive to the Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve entrance (2 hours), then to the Hermanos Carrel Refuge (15,744 ft/4800 m), where we’ll have dinner and get some rest until 11pm. An early light breakfast will be served just before getting ready with our gear and starting the climb (B/BL/D)

Day 5:Chimborazo Summit (20,702ft/6.268m) – Quito
At midnight we will start our climb to the top of Ecuador’s highest mountain, Chimborazo, which will take us about 8 to 9 hours. We’ll get to the summit (20,702ft/6268m) in the early hours, which is the perfect spot for resting and taking pictures of the beautiful surroundings. We’ll then start our descent back to the refuge which will take us from 3 to 4 hours. Once at the refuge we’ll pack our gear and drive back to Quito. (B)